We find here a rather standard list of sixteen defilements (upakkilesa) of the mind, and an explanation of a mechanism by which one gets these 'confirmed confidences' in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha that are factors of stream-entry.

The Buddha explains how the fact that he is actually an enlightened being must be taken on faith or as a conjecture until a certain stage is reached, and that any claim of such a knowledge without that realization is be worthless.

The Buddha asks Ānanda to expound the Sekha Paṭipadā, of which he gives a surprising version, from which Satisampajañña and Nīvaraṇānaṃ Pahāna are curiously replaced by a series of seven 'good qualities', and which is illustrated by a telling simile.

The King Pasenadi of Kosala is eager to understand what is recommended or not by wise ascetics and brahmans, and he asks series of questions to Ānanda which allow us a better grasp of the meaning of the words kusala (wholesome) and akusala (unwholesome).

In this deep and very interesting sutta, the Buddha defines among other things what are the investigations of pleasant, unpleasant and neutral mental feelings, and also defines the expression found in the standard description of the Buddha: 'anuttaro purisadammasārathī’.